As far as the VW situation, maybe the chrome has adverse insulation properties, or they did more to the stock engine than adding bling. Is bling a word? My spell check rejected it!
I agree about the paint colour but radiator black is specifically formulated for the job.
I believe it has better heat transfer properties.
Re; the VW chrome versus paint argument, the chrome has too much reflection and bounces the heat straight back.
True a lot of VWs have had some performance increase which in turn generates more heat, the '
bling' just exacerbates the problem.
I used to find all too many VWs with essential tinware missing as well.
VW went to a lot of trouble to find out what works,and
all the tinware serves a function.
Overheating an air-cooled engine stretches head studs,cooks bearings and cracks cylinders heads,all of which can be terminal.
A properly set up VW engine
shouldn't make the characteristic clatter/chuffing most people associate with them.
That's usually due to head blow by and or a badly installed exhaust.
